Chess Puzzle #XPNf4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rooks b6/c3; pawns b4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g5; rooks b2/d7; pawns e4/f5/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rdd2 — rook d7→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rcc6 — rook c3→c6. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook d2→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king g2→g1. Opponent replies Rg2+ (rook f2→g2, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Opponent replies Rbf2+ (rook b2→f2, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke1 — king f1→e1. Opponent replies Re2+ (rook f2→e2, gives check).
6. Best move: Kd1 — king e1→d1. Opponent replies Rd2+ (rook e2→d2, gives check).
7. Best move: Kc1 — king d1→c1. Opponent replies Rc2+ (rook d2→c2, gives check).
8. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c6→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Rcc6.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r4/1R6/5pkp/1P2p1p1/2R3P1/1r3PKP/8 b - - 6 38

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